Physics (PHYS)

Physics 1020 is an introductory course that requires no prior knowledge of physics. This course is an introduction to basic concepts of physics including basic properties of fluids, motion, energy, force, electromagnetic spectrum, electricity, and the atom. Students learn basic principles and apply them in problem situations. Offered in the College for Adults.

PHYS 1040 Astronomy with Lab — 4 credits

This course provides an introduction to the physical principles and processes of science applicable to the study of astronomy. This study is largely observationally based utilizing the University's astrophysical observatory with a computerized telescope and research instrumentation. Topics include a study of the solar system, the earth and moon system, stellar structure and evolution, giants, dwarfs, pulsars and black holes, nebulae, galaxies, quasars, cosmology and the search for extraterrestrial life. Four lectures and two laboratory hours per week. Also offered in Evening/Weekend/Online Program.

PHYS 1050 Conceptual Physics — 4 credits

This conceptual physics course will cover a wide variety of topics that may include: motion and forces, energy and gravity, sound and light, electricity and magnetism, vibrations, fluids and thermodynamics. While these topics themselves are important, they will also be providing a context for developing and honing problem-solving skills. Such skills are applicable in almost any field, including medical, scientific, teaching, or technological occupations. The course is intended for those students who have not had a recent course, or any course in high school or college physics. Basic algebra skills are needed for success in this course. Offered in the College for Women. Prerequisite: Appropriate score on mathematics placement assessment.

PHYS 1080 Physics for the Health Sciences I — 4 credits

This course and its continuation, PHYS 1090, is designed especially for physical therapy and related studies requiring only algebra-based physics. The first semester focuses on applications of mechanics and thermodynamics to the human body and physical agent modalities. Four hours of lecture and two laboratory hours per week. Offered in the College for Women. Prerequisite:MATH 1090 with a minimum grade of C- or appropriate level on mathematics placement assessment.

PHYS 1090 Physics for the Health Sciences II with Lab — 4 credits

This is a continuation of PHYS 1080. This course focuses on electric and magnetic fields, circuits, wave theory, optics and modern physics including medical imaging. Offered in the College for Women. Prerequisite: Grade of C- or better in PHYS 1080.

PHYS 1110 Introductory Physics I — 4 credits

This course and its continuation, PHYS 1120, are intended for pre-medicine, physical and life science, mathematics and pre-engineering students. The principles of classical mechanics, vectors, kinematics, particle and rigid body rotational dynamics and statics; conservation laws; fluid mechanics and thermodynamics. Four hours of lecture and two laboratory hours per week. Offered in the College for Women. Prerequisite with concurrency:MATH 1130.

PHYS 1120 Introductory Physics II — 4 credits

This is a continuation of PHYS 1110. The principles of thermal, wave, optical and electromagnetic phenomena with an introduction to modern physics are studied. Four hours of lecture and two laboratory hours per week. Offered in the College for Women. Prerequisite: Grade of C- or better in PHYS 1110. Prerequisite with concurrency:MATH 1140.

PHYS 1200 Engineering in Your World with Lab — 4 credits

Most of the world we experience everyday is human made or engineered. Engineers create products from indoor plumbing to airplanes that make our lives more comfortable and convenient. This course is an introduction to the engineering concepts associated with products in your everyday life, including structures, machines and mechanisms, hydraulics and pneumatics, and electricity. Classes are a mixture of mini-lectures about concepts and associated calculations, experiments to solidify concepts, discussions to generalize concepts to other technologies, and projects to apply the concepts to new problems. This course meets the liberal arts core requirement for lab science.

PHYS 1210 Physics of the New Technologies — 4 credits

Many of the new technologies in today's world have been developed using basic physics principles and new applications of these concepts. This course focuses on the science behind the new technologies and helps students understand how they work. Moreover, it gives the non-science major a background in fundamental physics to intelligently examine new discoveries and the individual merit of each. Application topics covered include robotics, fiber optics, lasers, digital video and both digital and analog electronics. The ability to use basic algebra is required. Prerequisite: MATH 1070.

PHYS 1400 Introduction to Engineering — 4 credits

Introduction to Engineering is an introductory course that requires no prior knowledge of physics or engineering. Students will develop skills critical for practicing engineers including disciplinary content and familiarity with the engineering design process. Course includes extensive exposure to visual, written and oral communication forms, and to computer-based design tools. Substantial design projects, including prototype construction, project management; teamwork and reviews are included.

PHYS 2250 Modern Physics — 4 credits

The course will look at the historical context driven by experimental work with the atom. We will look at the physics of relativity, atomic physics, wave mechanics, nuclear physics and introductory quantum mechanics. Prerequisites:PHYS 1120 and MATH 1140 with a minimum grade of C. Recommended: Prior completion of or concurrent registration with MATH 2060.

PHYS 2600 Principles of Electronic Instrumentation — 4 credits

This course is intended to provide scientists (both physical and life) and engineers with a background in electronics and instrumentation so that they can select the instrumentation most appropriate to a measurement or control problem. Course covers analysis of basic electronic circuits used in scientific electronic instrumentation. There is an emphasis on a practical approach to circuits using discrete and integrated circuit devices; d.c. and a.c. circuit analysis; filters and feedback; amplifiers; power supplies; oscillators; counting, switching, timing, wave shaping and digital circuits. Three lectures and two hours of laboratory per week. Prerequisite:PHYS 1120 or permission of the instructor.

PHYS 2684 Directed Study — 4 credits

PHYS 2750 Principles of Microprocessor Technology — 4 credits

This course provides the background in digital electronics and logic circuits for majors in science and computer studies. Topics to be investigated include analog/digital conversion; assembly and machine languages; interfacing; microprocessor design and measurement; and signal processing for biological, chemical and physical laboratory experiments. Prerequisites:PHYS 1120, MATH 1140.

PHYS 2994 Topics — 4 credits

The subject matter of the course is announced in the annual schedule of classes. Content varies from year to year but does not duplicate existing courses. Offered in the College for Women.

PHYS 4684 Directed Study — 4 credits

Directed study is provided for students whose unusual circumstances prohibit taking a regularly scheduled course but who need the material of that course to satisfy a requirement. Availability of this faculty-directed learning experience depends on faculty time and may be limited in any given term and restricted to certain courses. Prerequisites: Faculty, department chair and dean approval.

PHYS 4912 Research — 2 credits

Research-based learning experience designed in collaboration with a faculty member. Prerequisites: Faculty and department chair approval.

PHYS 4994 Topics — 4 credits

The subject matter of the course is announced in the annual schedule of classes. Content varies from year to year but does not duplicate existing courses. Offered in the College for Women.